CH 75

“Did you sweep the floor? If you’re done organizing there, the floor over here is—”

Noel, who had walked with great strides, pulled her wrist.

“Ugh. What’s wrong with you?”

“Is this floor a problem right now?”

Elusiana frowned at him and let go of his arm. “So, what’s wrong?”

“I’ve heard everything you’re saying with the servant.”

Elusiana was taken aback by his unusually cold, stiff face. She knew he tended to be straightforward in expressing his feelings, but was there something to upset him so much? After all, Noel had nothing to do with this incident. So she said it without hesitation.

“That’s great. I don’t need to explain it separately.”

“Lusi, are you really going to do as they say? This is too unfair.”

“I know. So I’m going to organize it like this and go back.”

Noel looked puzzled for a moment, perhaps because her answer was unexpected.

“…Go back?”

“Then what more do I have to do? It’s not a fight that you can win just because you’re attacking.”

“…That’s. However, what about the penalty?”

“Does money matter? It’s obvious that I’ll get hurt if I force myself. Either way, it doesn’t matter.”

Elusiana shrugged her shoulders, touched her wrist, and picked up the basket again. Noel, who stared at her like that, sighed deeply and held out his hand. 

“Give it to me. I’ll help you.”

“That’s enough. See that prop over there? Get the rest of that and come out. We’ll be leaving before the servant comes back.”

Elusiana hugged the prop basket, stopped her steps as she was about to leave, and she looked up at Noel. “By the way, El. Aren’t you mistaken about something?”

“Umm, me? What am I mistaken about?”

“You’re a day laborer hired by me today. You’re not helping. You’re just doing what you have to do. Understand?”

“Aah, is that what you mean? Day job.”

“If you understand, stop talking nonsense and move quickly. And—”

With a low sigh, she put down the basket of props she was holding. Then she walked before Noel and poked him in the middle of his forehead.

“Make an expression. Who died? I’m only going to let you off because of your handsome face. But what is this?”

“Is Lusi… not even angry?”

The atmosphere, which had barely been lightened, sank heavily again. Noel pulled her finger down and looked into her scarlet eyes.

“If I come forward, you don’t have to be ignored like this.”

Elusiana stared intently at Noel, who seemed angrier than she was. Why is this man so upset about something that’s not even his business? Does he really think he and I are friends who have a strong relationship?

What would be different if she got his help to overcome this crisis instead of saying no? He was bragging that this would end, but the fact that Lady Eragost came to the commoner’s zone and appointed her meant that this issue wouldn’t end in a one-off situation.

I don’t know the reason, but it’ll be repeated several times until she’s satisfied. She couldn’t visit him every time and ask for help.

Elusiana talked as if to tell him. “Thank you for taking my side. But what about after that? Will you help me every time? They’re nobles, El. If there is no justification, there is no room for intervention. Because that’s an unspoken rule. Isn’t that the same for El?”

Elusiana smiled bitterly and continued. “And it was a fight that I had to lose from the beginning. The contractor this time is a lady from the count family, and I… I’m just a branch owner of the flower store.”

“…You’re a commoner—”

Noel paused for a moment. Elusiana didn’t know he already knew her identity. But what would happen if he revealed that fact here… and now?

Noel’s dark purple eyes trembled with unexpected shock. Elusiana tapped him on the arm.

“Let’s stop thinking about complicated things and go out for now. Let’s talk after that.”

Saying so, Elusiana pulled Noel’s arm.

Is it his own illusion that the warmth that touches him feels exceptionally hot? The intense heat made Noel dizzy for an instant.

“Why are you silent? Don’t you want to leave quickly?”

Turning around again, she rolled her scarlet eyes and met his eyes.

Her eyes resembled the sunset. It gave off a soft light and caught his attention. It was so clear and beautiful that he had the urge to steal her and run away.

“El. Can’t you hear me? Get yourself together.”

Elusiana, who shook the motionless arm of Noel, looked at his face worriedly. Noel could also face her. The distance between their faces was only one inch. Wouldn’t it touch those red and luscious lips if he just slightly lowered his head?

That was the moment Noel thought like that. Suddenly, an intense pain arose from his pounding heart.

“Ugh.”

Elusiana was deliberately taken aback by the sudden appearance of Noel clutching his chest and complaining of pain. Why do all the men here have chest pains? The grand duke was like that, but why this man too! She quickly looked around for help and realized once again where this place was and looked at Noel’s condition first.

“What’s the matter, El? What’s wrong with you? Tell me. Where are you feeling sick?”

Noel looked down at the small hand holding his arm and felt a strange sensation. Those thoughtful eyes scan his face. The impatience of fear and worrying about him. I want all of them. His face turned red.

“El, are you okay? Say something. Okay?”

“…I’ll go get some fresh air alone for a while.”

“You’re going to get some fresh air with that kind of body? What if you lost consciousness when you were alone? It would be better for me to come too.”

Elusiana grabbed his arm and supported him, and Noel carefully removed her hand.

“I’ll be back soon. Avoid being seen by people… And thank you. For worrying about me.”

Noel smiled and disappeared like the wind. Elusiana blinked her eyes and smiled. Seeing that he disappeared in the blink of an eye, he seems to be okay. “Sigh”, I don’t know now. He will do well on his own.

Shaking her head, Elusiana let out a helpless sigh as she tried to sit in a chair. Her desire to sit down fled when she saw the tables and chairs covered with a white cloth.

“It’s very difficult to make a living. Back then and now.”

Elusiana sat down on the floor. She thought she should get out of there as soon as Noel returned.

* * *

However, Elusiana’s plan didn’t work out as she thought.

“Wait here.”

“Yes? Here?”

Elusiana was stunned by the brazen behavior of the servant. Returning after a while, the servant led her to the beautiful garden, and she was smiling as if her work was done.

The guy who said he’d come back soon has no intention of returning, no matter where he went.

Elusiana pressed her throbbing temples and said to the servant. “I’ll pay the penalty, so please get out of the way.”

“I’m in trouble right now.”

“It’s not me who’s in trouble. It’s you. Well, here’s the money.”

Seeing Elusiana holding out a heavy money pouch, the servant let out a low sigh. “I cannot take this. When the banquet is over, please tell the lady directly.”

“…Are you kidding me?”

Elusiana showed extreme patience not to lose her temper.

If I reveal my identity, can they act so recklessly? However, revealing her identity won’t change much. The daughter of a fallen family would just be funny for them. Above all, the servant in front of her had no right to decide. Then she had no choice but to act recklessly.

“I can’t help it because we can’t communicate. Get out of my way!”

Pushing the servant on the shoulder, Elusiana quickly walked along the path. She was a little worried that the servant, who seemed to be holding her back, stayed still, but now it was more urgent to get out of there.

Without any time to feel a sense of discomfort in the gradually brightening light, Elusiana walked as if running toward what she assumed was the exit. It was then that a clear voice rang out.

“Ah! There she comes! That woman is the branch owner of the fragrant garden, which adorned the Louver Hall with flowers.”

Elusiana stopped just as she was walking and turned her head in the direction she heard the voice. Elusiana’s scarlet eyes shook violently at that moment as if facing an angry wave.

* * *

“Thank you for being here today. Please enjoy the rest of the time happily.”

After her greeting on the terrace on the second floor decorated with colorful flowers, Camilla smiled brightly. All the nobles in attendance applauded and lavished praise on her.

“It’s very beautiful, as if a place in the garden was moved here.”

“The combination of purple and white flowers is especially mysterious.”

As the ladies said, most of the guests who entered could not take their eyes off the entrance.

Camilla, who came down from the terrace on the second floor, approached the chattering ladies and said, “I don’t know if I could fulfill your expectations.”

“Oh my, Lady Camilla.”

“The flowers are so beautiful.”

“How can the arrangement of colors be so harmonious? As expected, I can’t keep up with Lady Camilla’s eyes.”

The young lady’s eyes widened slightly as she touched the flower petals.

“Moreover, I can’t put into words the freshness of these flowers.”

Camilla, wearing a dark purple dress, smiled softly and responded. “I was lucky. I got to know someone who’s especially skillful.”

The young ladies, who were interested in Camilla’s words, surrounded her one by one.

“Can you tell me where the flower store is? I want to use that place for my next banquet too.”

“Please tell me too, Lady.”

While they were laughing and looking at Camilla, Camilla pulled out a purple flower from the center of the table. But then.

“Prick!”

Camilla suddenly dropped the flower in her hand. The flower that hit the floor lost its beautiful shape and shattered. And then a drop of blood came from her hand.

Drip.

Drip.

It was staining the white tablecloth eerily.